Move at Honeywell to affect 175 employees

Honeywell Aerospace in Wichita is closing it's repair and overhaul operations and moving them to Olathe, Kansas by the end of the year.

According to a Kansas City Business Journal article about 175 employees are going to be affected. Honeywell declined all requests for interviews, but did release a statement to KAKE News Friday afternoon.

"This is not a decision we made lightly as we realize this, unfortunately, affects valued employees," said Scott Sayers, a media contact at Honeywell. "We've provided employees with extensive notice and are also posting roles in Olathe, many of which include potential relocation assistance. We're encouraging employees to apply for those roles, or other Honeywell positions, and will offer severance and outplacement assistance to those eligible."

Anonymous employees said it was not something they wanted at all.

"I'm personally not happy about it," said one anonymous employee. "I'm thinking about moving away and missing my grand kids."

Others who left Friday afternoon said they could not talk because it would get them in trouble. However, some said they would follow the work with one employee saying if he has to take a job in Olathe, then so be it.

This is not the first time this company has moved. According to a Kansas City Business Journal article they moved repair and overhaul operations in Renton, Washington to Olathe as well this year. The Washington state location is expected to be closed by the first quarter of 2020 and is expected to affect 150 employees. In another move the company moved Albuquerque manufacturing and engineering operations to plants in Clearwater, Fla., Phoenix and Puerto Rico.